Slice of Life No. 2 -- The Internet Service Provider

I've been having internet connection problem since typhoon Frank and it has been more than a week now. Several times I've contacted my ISP's technical support to report the issues I encounter.

I may not have any formal education or training on computer hardwares and softwares but I read a lot and I have long years of actual experience since I personally maintain the computer units at my internet cafe. Modesty aside, I believe that what I know and understand about computers at this point in time is enough to point out that the real problem entirely lies on their service.

Here is the scenario.

I am using a wireless broadband connection. For the past ten days, I've been almost a regular daily caller to my ISP's hotline. Actually, the simple task of reaching the tech support wastes so much time. Either line is always busy or call was always put on hold forever every time I get connected to tech support. It seems like nobody wants to hear a subscriber's complaints. So I tried doing a trick -- instead of pressing 4 for tech support as per recorded instructions, I pressed 2 for new applications and follow-up. Alas! My call was immediately attended to. So since then, I always press 2 to get connected to them.

My local area connection status says that I am connected to the internet. However, I can't keep a steady connection. Just to be able to browse I need to repair connection right after every click, otherwise, I only get 'Server not found' page. I've tried doing everything tech support normally asks subscribers to do to correct connectivity errors.

1. I've tried disabling the local area connection, unplugged the ISP network adapter from the power outlet, restarted my computer, plugged the adapter again, and enabled the local area connection but it didn't solve the problem.

2. Once I click the repair connection button in the support tab of the local area connection, going to the command prompt, I can ping google.com, yahoo.com, tipidpc.com, etc. However, whenever I ping the default gateway, or their four different DNS Servers, or any of their given IP numbers, chances are I'll get 'Request timed out result' or, if not, 75% loss on packets sent and received.

3. I've cleared all private data to delete cookies both on Mozilla and Internet Explorer.

4. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling of my computer's network adapter.

5. I've checked my antenna positioning. There is no visible structure whatsoever that blocks its path to the tower.

Last night, after having tried everything over again upon the instructions of the technical support representative, the problem remains unsolved. I was really trying to keep my cool despite all the troubles. But what seriously pissed me off was when the technical support rep announced that based on the checks done, there is nothing wrong with the connection at their end. He even advised that I must have my computer checked by an authorized technician as it seems that my operating system needs repair.

Whoaaaa!!! My unit is a brand new laptop, barely two weeks old. It is running smoothly and I haven't even encountered any other problems whatsoever aside from their sucking service.

Why does it seem so hard for them to admit to their clients that they really have problems with their system? Why put the blame instead to the poor subscribers' machines when all along it is their system's fault? I can imagine the trouble and unnecessary expenses other people may go through considering my ISPs sucking service style.